Ice cube machine



Jul 28, 1953 M. .1. VLASIC ICE CUBE MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 20, 1951 m T m m y 28, 1953 M. J. VLASIC 2,646,666

ICE CUBE MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f IE1 .4..

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147' OIP/VEX This invention relates Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 ICE CUBE MACHINE Matthew J. Vlasic, Youngstown, Ohio Application August 20, 1951, Serial No. 242,673

6 Claims. (01. 62-106) to an ice cube formin and dispensing machine and more particularly to "a machine incorporating a freezing cycle of unusual length rendering the machine capable of operation with a relatively small and efficient compressor.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an ice cube forming and dispensing machine incorporating a lengthy freezing cycle.

A further object of the invention is the pro- :vision of an ice cube forming and dispensing .mechanism incorporating novel means for subfleeting water to freezing action during continuous freezing cycle- A still further object of the invention is the provision of an ice cubeforming and dispensing "machine incorporating the novel mechanical principleof subjecting a continuously arranged ice cube tray to freezing temperatures over a sub- :stantial period of time while at the same time advancing the continuous tray in a spiral motion :to a point of dispensing the cubes therefrom.

The ice cube forming and dispensing appara- -tusdisclosed herein has been designed to provide a simple, relatively inexpensive and eflicient particularly adapted for use in commercial establishments wherein a quantity of ice cubes is re- -quiredin the serving. of various beverages.

I The ice cube machines heretofore known in The presit provides an adequate capacity of ice cubes and at the same time arranges the freezing portion of the machine so that the water filled continuous formingtrays are subjected to the freezing temperatures for a lengthy freezing cycle.

The device herein disclosed also incorporates a simple mechanical movement preferably operated by solenoids, one of which is arranged to move the continuous ice tray and the other of which is arranged to discharge the ice cubes from the continuous tray.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds,

the invention. resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of con- .means of producing ice cubes continuously and struotion hereinafter described and claimed, it

being the-intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation with parts in cross section and parts broken away illustrating-the ice cube forming and dispensing machine.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of the dispensing portion of the ice cube machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on" line 3'-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on line 44 of Figure];

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken through the freezing portion of the machine shown in Figure 1.

By referring to the drawings and Figure "1 in particular it will be seen that an ice cube forming and dispensing machine has been disclosed which comprises a housing ill having a tank III positioned therein for the. reception of water which is supplied by a supply line l2 controlled by a float operated valve [3. A drain line It is provided to prevent overfilling of the tank. H and it will be observed that the tank II is located above the bottom of the housin In and that it is partially supported in the housing [0 by a structural member l5 which includes a vertical journal I6 and a water-tight seal for rotatably positioning a cylindrical body member H. The cylindrical body member ll is flanged at its lower end as at l3. The cylindrical body member H is of smaller circumference at its upper end than its lower end, as best shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, and the lower portion thereof is preferably formed of non-metallic material.

A plurality of freezing coils IS are'disposed within the cylindrical body member ll and a plurality of freezing coils 20 are disposed about the outer surface of the cylindrical body member H and spaced with respect thereto as also best illustrated in Figure 5. The freezing coils I9 and 20 comprise the evaporator in a mechanical refrigeration system including a compressor 2! and condenser (not shown) as known in the art.

By referring to Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings it will be seen that the lower portion of the body member H is preferably formed separately from the upper portion thereof and from a material such as a molded plastic or the like so that it will not act as a cold conductor. The upper portion of the body member if is preferably metallic and it will be observed that the freezing coils l9 and 20 are positioned adjacent this upper portion of the body member I! and above the uppermost part of the tank ll.

'By referring now to Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings it will be observed that a drum 22 is mounted in the housing I!) above the tank H on a structural supporting member 23 incorporating a vertical journal 24 alongside the cylindrical body member I l. The drum 22 has a plurality of gear teeth 25 formed on a flange thereon and has a secondary flange 26 located thereabove and a plurality. of .circumferentially arranged, equally spaced projecting bosses 21 positioned thereon immediately above the flange 26 as best shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. The circumferentially arranged bosses 21 are tapered at their uppermost edges, as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, and arranged so that they form a sprocket-like mechanism over which a continuous belt-like freezing tray 28 is positioned.

The belt-like freezing tray 28 has a plurality of cavities 29 in its bottom surface and a plurality of larger cavities 38 in its upper surface. The

belt-like freezing tray 28 is endless and formed of a flexible material such as a synthetic rubber, the cavities 29 being adapted to register with the sprocket-like bosses 21 and the cavities 30 bein adapted to be filled with water in the tank H and to retain the same through the freezing cycle and to the point of discharge of the ice cube in the machine.

about the drum 22, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

It will thus be observed that the cavities 30 will be filled with water when the tray 28 is passed beneath the idler 3| and into the tank H and fed onto the lower portion of the cylindrical body I7. It will then move upwardly in a continuous spiral pattern and at the top of the spiral pattern leave the cylindrical body member I! and be twisted so that its normal upper surface becomes a side surface which is outwardly positioned with respect to the drum 22 about which it is then passed. Upon leaving the drum 22 it reassumes its normal position by passing under the idler 3i and is again fed into the spiral pattern being continuously formed on the cylin-- drical body H.

In order that this operation may take place, means for rotating the drum 22 is provided and comprises a ratchet 32 which is normally spring urged against the gear teeth 25 by a spring 33 and adapted to be moved by a solenoid 34. It will be observed that operation of the solenoid 34 responsive to a remotely situated electrical switch (not shown) will move the drum 22 and hence the continuous belt-like tray 28 and that the movement will be imparted to the cylindrical body I! through the belt-like tray 28 so that the hereinbefore described action results.

A secondary solenoid 35 is positioned on a supporting bracket 36 in the uppermost portion of between the continuous belt-like tray 28 and one of the bosses 21 the immediate portion of the The majority of the continuous tray 28 Will be distorted and moved outwardly sufficiently to cause the ejection of the ice cube in the cavity 30 adjacent thereto. The ice cubes being ejected from the machine are indicated by the letters C in the drawings.

By referring to Figures 2 and 4 of the draw ings it will be seen that a tubular housing 38 is disposed about the belt-like tray 28 to properly guide the. same during its travel between the drum 22 and the cylindrical body l1. It will also be observed that the tubular housing 33 is not refrigerated and that the cubes C in the portion of the continuous tray 28 leaving the freezing area of the, cylindrical body ll will have an opportunity to melt suificiently to free them from adhesion in the cavities 30 of the tray 28 as they move toward the point of ejection therefrom, as heretofore described. The tubular housing 38 is not illustrated in Figure l of the drawings so as to enable a clearer understanding of the operation of the device to be had.

It will thus be seen that the several objects of the invention have been met by the ice cube machine shown and described herein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An ice cube forming and dispensing machine comprising an endless belt-like tray having cavities therein, a cylindrical body member and a drum rotatably positioned on their verticalaxes in horizontally spaced relation'to one another, refrigeration means about said cylindrical body member, said endless belt-like tray-positioned on said cylindrical body member in a spiral pattern and looped about said drum, a tank positioned about the lower portion of said cylindrical body member and means for moving said belt-like tray about said drum and cylindrical body member, said belt-like tray being turned one-quarter turn on said drum with respect to its position on said body member, and means for ejectin ice cubes from said belt-like tray on said drum.

2. An ice'cube forming and dispensing machine including an endless flexible tray having relatively deep cavities in one side thereof and relatively shallow, oppositely disposed cavities in the opposite side thereof, a vertically standing, rotatable cylindrical body member, the majority of said endless belt-like tray being wrapped in a spiral around said cylindrical body member, a drum rotatably positioned in spaced relation to said cylindrical body member, a portion of said belt-like tray being passed around said drum, circumferentially arranged, spaced sprocket teeth on said drum for registry with the shallow cavities in said belt-like tray and mechanical means for moving said belt-like tray about said drum and cylindrical body member, a water filled tank, a portion of said belt being trained through said tank, and refrigeration means about said cylindrical body member for freezing the water in said larger cavities of said belt-like tray while the same is in spiral position on said cylindrical body member.

3. The ice cube formin and dispensing machine set forth in claim 2 and including a mechanically operated plunger for registry between said drum and said endless belt-like .tray for ejecting ice cubes from said belt-like tray.

4. The ice cube forming and dispensing machine set forth in claim 2 and wherein an annular flange is formed on the lower portion of the cylindrical body member and wherein the belt-like tray is led onto the cylindrical body member in engagement with said flange and moves in a spiral upwardly therefrom.

5. The ice cube forming and dispensing machine set forth in claim 2 and wherein the beltlike tray is positioned around said drum with the 5 oppositely disposed cavities therein on a common horizontal plane.

6. The ice cube formin and dispensing machine set forth in claim 2 and wherein the beltlike tray is positioned around said drum with the oppositely disposed cavities therein on a common horizontal plane, and wherein a mechanical plunger is arranged for selective engagement between said belt-like tray andsaid drum for ejecting ice cubes from the cavities therein.

MATTHEW J. V'LASIC'.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,025,711 Bemis Dec. 31, 1935 2,031,812 Barrett Feb. 25. 1936 2,054,074 Field Sept. 15, 1936 2,487,408 Askin Nov. 8, 1949- 

